It includes enhanced screening for victims in hospitals, legislation to allow victims to get out of their cell phone contract with their abusive partner, and increasing the penalty for those who commit domestic violence in the presence of the child.

Brown lost a cousin to domestic violence in 2008. She was killed by an abusive ex-boyfriend.

As Brown was unveiling the legislation in Howard County, the Doug Gansler campaign criticized Brown for withdrawing similar legislation when he was in the House of Delegates in 2003.

At the time, Brown was in the House of Delegates and was vice chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Brown told the Daily Record at the time that he did not want to be at odds with the Judiciary Committee Chairman Joe Vallario.

In a campaign statement, Delegate Jolene Ivey, who is Gansler's running mate, said, ôLieutenant Governor Brown says in this campaign that he will combat domestic violence, but in the House of Delegates he chose to cave to insider pressures instead of protecting women and families. This is a pattern with the Lieutenant Governor û he plays to the powerful and special interests at the expense of the people of Maryland.ö

The Brown campaign responded with comments from Baltimore City Delegate Cheryl Glenn, who herself is a domestic violence survivor.

ôReducing domestic violence is something we should all agree on. As a survivor of domestic violence myself, it is deeply troubling that the Attorney GeneralÆs campaign would use this issue to score cheap political points, especially when Lt. Governor Brown, like far too many in Maryland, has been personally affected by domestic violence. Anthony has fought for - and won - critical legislation to reduce the scourge of domestic violence, and Doug Gansler knows it. Political attacks on this issue are entirely inappropriate," Glenn said in a statement.